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The  Image  Makers 


and    other 
Poems 


By  CHARLES  C.  ELY 

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Published  by 

Walker  Lith.  Sc  Pub.  Co. 
boston,  mass. 


Copyright  1912,  by  Charles  C.  Ely 


DEDICATED 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  MY 


BROTHER    FREDERICK    ELY 


WHO    DIED 


JANUARY  27,  1911. 


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J       J        J  J        J  -3 


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CONTENTS 

Page 

THE   IMAGE    MAKERS             ...  6 

NATURE'S    VOICE                ....  11 

MAN'S    DUAL   NATURE          ...  19 

THE   GARDEN    OF   THE    SOUL              .            .  22 

LOVE 31 

LIFE 36 

GOOD   AND   EVIL        ....  38 

A   MINIATURE    UNIVERSE           ...  39 

SHORTEST   CATECHISM        ...  40 


M191S47 


THE      IMAGE      MAKERS 

INSPIRATION 

Drink  of  the  Gods  from  fields  Parnassian  brought ! 

A  message  to  the  soul  sublime  with  thought. 

Invigorating  draught !    Celestial  fare  ! 

That  wakes  the  soul  to  thoughts  and  feelings  rare ! 

Thy  name  suggests  a  visitation  bright ; 

Thy  coming  is  the  soul's  supernal  light ; 

Thy  presence  is  the  soul's  supremest  height ; 

An  elevated  thought,  a  bright  conception, 

A  subtle  prompting  or  a  new  perception, 

An  impulse,  motive,  fancy,  or  desire. 

Enkindled  by  Enthusiasm's  fire. 

Who  can  this  holy  Presence  entertain, 

But  one  of  quickened  feelings  and  high  aim, 

Who  at  some  fount  Castalian  may  dwell. 

And  drink  the  Muse's  soul  within  her  dell  ? 

May  any  by  this  power  be  uplifted. 

Save  one  who  with  creative  soul  is  gifted? 

In  art,  or  verse,  or  song,  or  speech  sublime. 

Who  does  not  with  deep  feeling  truth  combine  ? 

They  only  may  high  Inspiration  claim 

Who  have  enlightened  souls  to  catch  the  flame; 

And  hearts  attuned  to  Nature's  harmonies, 

That  they  may  catch  Her  subtle  melodies. 

6 


THE      IMAGE      MAKERS 


IMAGINATION 

By  its  creative  force,  with  Nature,  Truth, 

And  Reason  guides,  Imagination  deep. 

The  primal  power  of  the  soul,  fills  all 

The  space  beyond  things  known ;  constructs  from  what 

Now  is  that  which  shall  be ;  essays  Great  God 

Himself;   annihilates  both  time  and  space. 

And  turns  into  new  forms  those  things  that  are ; 

And  from  life's  varied  scenes,  from  ^lemory's 

Deep  labyrinths,  new  worlds  creates,  more  bright 

And  filled  with  hopes  attained,  and  joy  and  love  ; 

The  Architect  supreme  of  man's  desires. 

Here  then  indeed  the  Soul  doth  find  strong  wings 

To  rise  above  the  common  thought,  and  join 

In  sweet  accord  time  present  and  to  come ; 

And  in  extreme  degrees  of  new  delights 

Lives  in  a  higher  and  a  grander  light. 

The  mental  sight  by  which  the  Soul  sees  God, 

And  in  her  prayer  communion  holds  with  Him: 

Or  region,  the  antipodes  of  bliss. 

This  power  creates,  where  pain  unending  tries 

The  soul  diseased,  ungrateful,  unredeemed. 


THE      IMAGE      MAKERS 

FANCY 

Untrammeled  in  her  bold  capricious  flight, 
Is  winged  Fancy  soaring,  airy  light. 
Just  following  the  soul's  free  inclinations, 
And  of  the  absent  forming  thought  creations. 
She  comes  and  goes  as  shadows  come  and  go, 
But  unlike  shadows,  leaves  some  trace  to  show. 
She  comes  on  wings  as  silent  as  the  dew, 
Having  in  hand  the  heart's-ease  or  the  rue. 
Unto  the  jealous  lover  Fancy  brings 
Excruciating  torments  on  her  wings; 

To  the  accepted  visions  of  sweet  bliss — 
The  loves  embrace,  the  ecstacy,  the  kiss. 
When  love  and  hope,  illusory  thoughts  inspire. 
Quick  Fancy  images  the  heart's  desire. 
When  images  of  fear  possess  the  soul 
Calm  Reason  unto  Fancy  yields  control. 
She  comes  in  the  still  watches  of  the  night, 
With  ominous  presentments  that  affright; 
And  in  the  early  morning's  rosy  light. 
With  new  conceits  displacing  those  of  night. 
The  devotee  gives  zealous  Fancy  play 
In  hopeful  visions  of  the  future  day. 
The  grace  in  art,  her  fantasies  enhance 

8 


THE      IMAGE      MAKERS 

And  give  the  pleasing  touch  unto  romance. 

The  products  of  the  brush  and  of  the  pencil, 

The  cold  result  of  mallet  and  of  chisel, 

In  lights  and  shades  and  color  blendings  tasteful. 

Reveal  her  presence  in  their  figures  graceful. 

Creative  Fancy's  felt  in  every  place ; 

Here,  in  the  world  of  duty  with  God's  grace ; 

Here,  in  the  world  of  love  and  hate  and  fears, 

Of  gladness  and  of  sadness  and  of  tears ; 

Here,  in  the  kingdom  of  the  bright  ideal ; 

There,  in  the  vision  land  of  the  unreal. 


THE      IMAGE      M  A  K  E  R  S 


FANCY'S  CREATIONS 


Fancy's  creations,  happy,  sportive,  bright ; 

Or  with  foreboding  images  replete ; 

Take  form,  as  Love,  Fear,  Hope,  or  Joy  inspires. 

Through  Fancy's  glass  prismatic  Love  looks  forth ; 

The  youth  an  angel  sees.    To  him  the  ground 

Is  holy  where  she  treads ;    her  bower  is  Heaven ; 

Herself  divine.     The  maiden  fair  perceives 

A  hero  in  the  object  of  her  love 

With  rare  and  noble  qualities  his  own. 

Who  fills  her  yearning,  loving  heart's  desire. 

By  Fear  possessed,  shadows  to  monsters  grow ; 

Instinct  with  life  they  seem  and  most  appalling. 

Sweet  hope  our  faith  with  visions  fair  upholds. 

Reveals  bright  glimpses  of  a  world  beyond, 

And  bears  us  to  that  happy  realm  in  dreams. 

By  Joy  inspired,  gay,  happy  Fancy  laughs 

Dull  Care's  perplexities  away,  and  drinks 

The  sparkling  essences  of  life  in  feigned 

Felicity.    Though  light  and  gossamer, 

O  Fancy  fond,  thou  art  the  buoyancy 

Of  love,  of  hope,  of  joy;   illusions  sweet, 

To  memory  dear. 

10 


NATURE'S  VOICE 

{In  The  Thunder  Storm.) 
I. 
While  the  birds  their  songs  are  giving; 
While  the  sun  with  warmth  is  beaming ; 
While  caressing  winds  are  wooing, 
And  all  Nature's  seeming  peaceful, 
And  our  thoughts  the  while  are  tranquil ; 
Lo  !  from  out  the  Western  sky  come 
Clouds,  portentous,  darkly  threatening ; 
Rising,  spreading  and  advancing ; 
Heavy  with  moist  condensations ; 
Big  with  windy  inspirations  ; 
Surcharged   with   electric   forces; 
Horrid  monster  of  the  heavens ! 
Now  he  sends  the  rain  in  down-pour  ; 
Breaks  the  chains  that  bind  the  wind-storm ; 
Splits  the  frightened  air  asunder 
That  cries  out  in  painful  protests. 
Following  the  heels  of  lightenings 
With  her  thunder-voice  appalling. 
Banging,  clapping,  thunder  rolling 
Quivering  protests,  in  regaining 

11 


NATURE     S      VOICE 

Her  composure,  her  true  balance  ; 
This  elastic  soul  of  Nature, 
With  her  fearful  voice  titanic. 
Thus  this  monster  passes  onward, 
Or  is  spent  in  dissipation ; 
And  again  the  sky  is  peaceful, 
Sun  is  shining,  winds  are  wooing, 
Birds  are  singing,  and  the  quiet 
Muse  invites  you  now  to  harken 
Unto  Nature's  kindlier  voices. 

{In  the  Winds.) 

II. 

Listen !  to  the  sighing,  sighing. 
As  the  gentle  murmuring  Winds  pass. 
Do  you  know  what  they  are  saying 
To  the  Trees  with  waving  branches, 
Deep  within  the  woods  primeval ; 
During  all  the  budding  spring  time, 
During  all  the  time  of  summer? 
Thus  the  Winds  in  softest  murmurs 
Pay  their  court  unto  the  Trees  there, 
Wooing,  wooing,  with  their  warm  breath, 
I.aden  with  the  balm  of  fir  trees, 

12 


nature's    voice 

I 

With  the  odor  of  the  meadows  ; 
And  the  Trees,  Hke  joyous  maidens, 
Bend  their  heads  and  wave  their  branches, 
Dancing,  flirting,  sighing,  sighing. 
As  the  fickle  and  embracing 
Zephyrs  kiss  them  as  they  pass  on 
Going  no  one  knoweth  whither. 

III. 

When  the  summer  has  departed. 
And  the  fall  Winds  come  among  them 
With  a  cooler  breath  and  chilling, 
With  a  voice  less  soft  and  wooing; 
Lo  !  the  Forest  dons  a  new  dress. 
Dress  of  red  and  brown  and  yellow, 
Sign  of  age,  of  youth  departing. 
Making  brilliant  all  the  landscape 
With  her  foliage  resplendent ; 
As  a  woman,  her  youth  vanished. 
Dons  her  satins  and  her  jewels. 
Feebly   clinging,   gently   yielding. 
As  our  souls  when  life  is  ending. 
These  bright-winged  spirits  flutter. 
Flutter  to  their  restful  haven  ; 

13 


NATURE^S      VOICE 


Or  are  roughly  scattered  by  the 
Wrathful  winds  that  blow  them,  symbol 
Of  our  lives  when  rudely  taken, 
Leaving  bare  the  trunks  and  branches. 
Leaving  bare  love-nooks  and  bowers, 
Making  desolate  the  woodlands. 

IV. 

And  the  winter  !     Oh,  the  winter ! 
Pinching,  biting,  chilling  winter ! 
When  the  Winds  in  anger  blowing. 
Moaning,  whistling  through  the  branches, 
Drive  unto  the  ground  the  life-blood 
Of  the  leafless,  cheerless  forest, 
Locked  and  chained  there  by  his  mandate. 
Locked  within  his  ice-embraces  ; 
Chained  by  laws  that  have  no  mercy. 

V. 

But  ye  hills  and  valleys  leaf  shorn, 
Desolated  !  in  the  spring  time 
Will  the  sun  awake  to  new  life 
Your  great  winter-chilled  heart-blood  ; 
Up  along  the  trunks  and  branches, 

14 


nature's    voice 

Leaping  through  the  trunks  and  branches, 

And  by  Nature's  secret  magic 

Burst  out  into  hfe  and  vigor 

All  the  erstwhile  slumbering  forest 

Just  as  though  the  winter  were  not ; 

And  the  earliest  zephyrs  whispering, 

Fresh  from  warmer  climes  returning, 

Welcome  the  advent  of  spring  time 

And  begin  their  yearly  wooings. 

With  their  sighings  and  their  murmurings. 

(In  Running  Waters.) 

VI. 

Oh,  the  Winds  are  restless,  restless, 
Changing  ever,  ever  changing, 
Blowing  hot  and  blowing  coldly. 
Whispering  love-words,  acting  rudely. 
Do  not  take  the  Winds  for  suitors ! 
O  ye  young  and  budding  Saplings  ; 
Learn  a  lesson  from  your  elders ; 
Read  the  story  of  your  sisters. 
How  in  youth  with  youth  they  flirted. 
How  in  age  Old  Age  was  heartless. 
Take  the  Sun  that's  ever  constant ; 

15 


NATURES      VOICE 

Take  the  Sun  whose  genial  warmth,  and 

Beaming,  cordial  life  doth  lift  up 

And  restore  the  broken-hearted. 

Take  the  Sun  whose  vernal  ardor 

Breaks  the  icy  bands  of  winter; 

Frees  the  winter  prisoned  waters 

Locked  in  snow-bound  fields  and  hill  tops, 

Rippling,  murmuring,  laughing  waters 

On  their  way  through  glen  and  valley, 

On  o'er  rocks  and  precipices. 

Shouting,  roaring,  thundering  Spring-Time's 

Joyous,  yearly  reawakening. 

Take  the  Sun  whose  rays  each  morning 

Dry  away  the  pearly  dew  drops  — 

Tears  that  gather  in  his  absence. 

That  from  twig  and  leaf  hang  pendant. 

Take  the  Sun  whose  chords  though  silent 

Speak  through  all  of  Nature's  voices. 

Take  the  Sun  whose  vital  acts  are 

Proof  of  all  his  benefactions, 

Proof  of  loyal  genial  nature  ! 


16 


nature's    \-  O  I  c  e 

{From  the  Sea.) 
VII. 

None  but  heroic  lines  may  well  describe 
Thy  majesty  O  Ocean  broad  and  deep, 
Thy  billows  and  the  thunders  of  thy  voice 
Upon  thy  rock-bound  coasts  and  shallow  shores— 
The  mills  of  Neptune  that  so  fine  and  slow, 
To  particles  impalpable,  do  grind 
The  pebbly  beach  and  rocks  and  sand,  and  lap 
Them  to  and  fro  in  ceaseless  flow  and  ebb, 
With  cadences  that  soothe  and  rest  the  soul. 
Not  from  thy  depths  profound,  O  Mighty  Sea, 
Is  heard  thy  voice,  there  art  thou  ever  dumb ; 
But  on  thy  surfaces  in  billows  tossed. 
Or  shallow  shelves  that  skirt  the  continents 
Where  swells  from  distant  storms  are  spent  in  surf. 
Twice  in  a  lunar  day  thy  bosom  heaves. 
Twice  in  a  lunar  day  thy  bosom  falls. 
The  daily  breathings  of  thy  mighty  chest, 
And  lo !  upon  opposing  coasts  the  tides 
Advance  and  twice  recede  unto  the  sea. 
Grinding  the  land,  the  pebble,  rock  and  sand. 
To  feed  thy  hungry  maw  insatiate. 

17 


NATURES      VOICE 

There's  room  enough  within  thy  basin  wide 
To  take  in  every  continent,  in  their 
Slow  marches  to  the  sea,  by  rivers,  rills, 
And  mountain  streams,  and  leave  no  Ararat 
To  rest  an  ark  upon,  or  olive  grove 
Wherein  the  weary  dove  of  peace  may  find 
A  resting  place. 


18 


MAN'S  DUAL  NATURE 

O  Complex,  Dual-nature  ]\Ian.    Twin  born — 

The  evil  with  the  good.    Who,  to  account 

For  evil,  hath  invented  reasons  false. 

And  clothed  them  in  a  shape  unnatural. 

A  devil,  legacy  from  age  remote. 

Hath  he  declared  the  source  responsible ; 

But  natural  is  evil,  and  from  it 

The  good  in  mortals  is  inseparable  ; 

And,  with  a  conscience  and  a  will, — the  gift 

To  know,  the  power  to  choose, — man  is  forewarned, 

Forearmed  ;  yet  Adam-like,  mankind  prefers 

The  tempting  fruit  forbid'n.    And  ever  was 

The  devil  most  convenient  scapegoat  for 

The  devilry  of  man !     Through  Reason's  glass 

The  devil  is  a  human  nature  bent 

To  evil  purposes.    Observe  his  traits. 

Are  they  not  man's  ?    Are  they  not  human  traits  ? 

For  what  infernal  acts  may  not  desire 

Persuade  the  Will  of  man  to  do !    Indeed 

An  angel  is  a  mortal  led  by  love ; 

To  what  self-sacrifice  will  Love  endure ! 

These  natures  inharmonious,  opposed, 

Supply  the  motives  and  direct  the  will 

19 


MAN     S      DUAL      NATURE 

As  dominates  the  evil  or  the  good. 
Thus  never  ending,  in  man's  little  brain 
Contend  the  elements  of  heaven  and  hell. 
Emotions,  passions,  good  and  bad,  have  since 
The  first,  a  strong,  determined  conflict  waged, 
Now  good,  and  evil  now  predominant ; 
So  from  time  past  till  this,  and  so  from  this. 
Till  Virtue's  crown  by  conflict  shall  be  gained. 
Nor  vain  the  cause,  since  Evil  of  the  Good 
Betrays  such  wholesome  fear  and  dread,  he  seeks 
In  darkness  and  deceit  (his  refuge  vain!) 
For  cover  and  escape. 

And  now  upon 
This  many  thousandth  year  of  Man's  estate. 
And  of  his  stewardship,  the  good  prevails, 
As  shown  in  growth  of  character ;  the  fruit 
Of  countless  moral  strifes,  wherein  have  souls, 
Beloved  and  honored  in  succeeding  times. 
Souls  which  in  memory,  thought  and  actions  live. 
Laid  down  their  lives,  by  loving  labor  spent 
Toward  the  consummation  hoped  of  man's 
Redemption  from  himself,  by  nature  bound 
To  selfishness  and  greed.     Each  generous  life, 
Each  kindly  act  of  love  and  sympathy, 

20 


MANS     DUAL     NATURE 

A  record  leaves  upon  the  minds  of  men — 

The  book  of  Hfe  eternal  and  divine, 

Wherein  is  writ  the  Ages'  precious  gems 

Of  loving  thought  and  noble  deeds  sublime ! 

Thus  on,  and  on,  and  on,  progressively, 

The  thoughts,  the  deeds,  the  soul  of  man  may  live! 


21 


THE  GARDEN  OF  THE  SOUL 

(The  Seat  of  Character.) 

The  Tree  of  Knowledge — Conscience. 

I. 

The  tree  of  knowledge  grows  within  the  soul. 
It  is  the  Conscience  knowing  good  and  bad ; 
The  voice  of  God ;  the  Soul's  good  Monitor 
That  sits  enthroned  'twixt  reason  and  desire ; 
The  Judge  severe  of  what  man  would  and  what 
He  ought  to  do,  demanding  nothing  less 
Than  justice,  truth  and  right.    'Twas  planted  there 
When  first  the  mind  by  duty  was  impressed. 
And  with  its  growth  up  spring  the  virtues  all 
That  flow'r  in  sweet  and  everlasting  bloom. 
This  Monitor  revered  forms  character ; 
Brings  happiness,  the  fruit  most  sought  of  life. 
Ignored,  the  soul,  degenerate,  misled. 
Conscious  of  nakedness,  before  the  face 
Of  Virtue  hides.    Within  the  conscience  lies 
The  moral  battle-ground.    Here  Virtue  striven. 
And  also  Vice,  for  the  supremacy ; 
The  destiny  of  man. 

22 


THE     GARDEN      OF     THE      S  O  IM. 


The  Tree  of  Life — Character. 

II. 

From  out  of  its  environments  of  Love's 
Sweet  mold,  or  of  Hate's  harsh,  malignant  soil, 
Of  Reason's  light,  or  Superstition's  shade, 
The  soul,  immortal  entity  of  man. 
Takes  on  its  character  :   its  disposition  ; 
Its  individual  self  ;   that  which  is  man  ; 
That  which  he  apprehends  himself  to  be. 
By  strife,  by  trial,  is  the  soul  revealed ! 
Behold  its  character :   no  stronger  than 
The  will,  the  subtle  Temper  to  withstand. 
Immune  to  Defamation's  venomed  tongue. 
The  character  is  lost  by  wilful  acts 
Alone.     One  wilful  sinful  act ;    and  thus 
Is  character  dethroned.     Put  on,  O  you. 
Who  fall  from  Character's  supreme  estate. 
The  sackcloth  of  repentance  and  depart. 
None,  none  can  lose  and  still  be  undismayed. 
Unapprehensive,  self-reliant,  brave ! 


23 


THE     GARDEN     OF     THE     SOUL 


Inspired  Fount — Enthusiasm. 

III. 

Enthusiasm  :    fountain  of  the  soul, 

Fed  with  perennial  springs  of  fancy  or 

Of  truth  by  joyous  inspirations  through 

Her  portal  wide.    Blest  fount!  if  Reason  at 

The  portal  stands;    accursed!  if  Prejudice 

Stands  there;    if  Fantasy  the  hour  rules, 

Or  yet,  if  inspiration  finds  its  way 

Through  darksome  unenlightenment,  wherein 

Bold  Superstition's  stupid,  vandal  hand 

Lays  waste  to  Reason's  happy  realm.     Sincere 

Is  the  uplifted  soul,  the  soul  thus  stirred, 

Yet  damned  errors  it  has  oft  embraced 

And  nourished  with  a  zeal  sublime !    The  Truth 

Is  made  triumphant  by  its  fervent  force, 

And  by  it  absurd  Error  may  confound. 

Be  certain  then  that  Reason  is  on  guard, 

That  Virtue  stirs  the  pool ;  then  drink,  and  drink 

Again  the  ardent  draught ;    when  otherwise. 

And  Bigotry  intolerant  attends, 

Touch  not,  drink  not  of  the  inspired  fount. 

24 


THE     GARDEN      OF     THE     SOUL 


Flowers  of  Hope  and  Faith. 

IV. 

Like  Mother  Earth,  the  Garden  of  the  Soul 
Contains  inspiring  blooms — the  flowers  of  truth ; 
And  hope  indigenous,  perennial  here, 
Up  springs  with  bright  expectancy  and  joy; 
And  faith,  the  flow'r  of  promise,  e'er  presents 
Unto  the  Source  of  Life,  its  upturned  face 
Throughout  the  constant  and  exultant  day. 

Rose  of  Love. 

V. 

Upon  the  border  of  this  garden  grows 

The  rose  of  love  in  its  varieties : 

AiTection.  sympathy  and  gratitude, 

Compassion,  pity,  pride  and  reverence ; 

In  beauty  differing  as  their  names  appear. 

Exhaling  good-will  and  beneficence; 

A  joy  unto  the  denizens  of  Earth, 

To  Heaven,  a  frankincense  both  sweet  and  wild. 


-^0 


THE     GARDEN      OF     THE      SOUE 

Rivers — Grace,  Mercy  and  JVisdom. 
VI. 

And  nourished  are  they  all,  the  tree,  the  tlower, 
By  streams  of  Grace  and  Loving-Mercy,  forth 
Proceeding  from  the  will  and  hand  of  God ; 
While  streams  of  Wisdom  from  experience, 
Down  trickle  through  the  crevices  of  time, 
Down  to  the  ocean  of  Eternity, 
Supporting  on  their  bosoms  deep,  the  best 
The  Garden  of  the  Soul  doth  yield. 

Habitant — The  Will. 

VII. 

Mankind  created  with  desires,  has  means 

Within  his  reach,  like  apples  on  low  boughs, 

To  pamper  them ;   has  conscience  given  him 

By  which  he  knows  where  virtue  ends,  where  vice 

Begins ;   to  guide  him  also  reason  has  ; 

Intelligence.    Above  them  all  a  Will 

To  choose  has  he  both  free  and  unrestrained, 

Save  only  by  his  conscious  moral  force. 

This  gift  like  unto  God  commands  the  right, 

Or  as  the  Evil-One  selects  the  wrong. 

26 


THE     GARDEN     OF     THE     SOUL 

To  well  determine  then  this  mighty  grace, 
This  right  divine  to  rule  himself,  man  has 
A  book,  true  Nature's  book,  God's  law  therein 
Is  writ— "Be  temperate,  be  kind,  be  true, 
.  Be  just"  ;   for  there  indeed  lies  happiness  ! 
The  Will's  supremest  trust. 

Habitant — Reason. 
VIII. 
The  Reason:   Open  door  of  the  just  soul 
Through  which  all  trusty  inspirations  come ; 
The  faculty  supreme  in  man  that  makes 
Him  near  divine ;   the  comprehension  clear 
By  which  he  knows  the  Maker  in  His  works, 
And  searches  out  the  principles  occult 
In  Nature's  law^s ;  the  common  sense  to  know 
Plain,  modest  Truth  from  Falsehood's  bold  pretense. 
The  Reason  -.—that  controlling  modicum 
Of  the  Creation,  that  makes  finite  man 
Co-partner  of  the  Infinite ! 
The  Reason  and  the  Conscience :  Are  they  not 
The  true,  the  natural  ministers  of  God? 
Do  they  not  teach  the  ways  of  righteousness 
And  truth  ?    By  what  means  other  than  by  these 
May  man  have  faith  or  hope,  or  know  God's  will 
By  him  is  done? 


27 


THE     GARDEN      OF     THE     SOUL 


Habitant — Creative  Pozver. 

IX. 

The  soul-creative  is  by  nature  twain — 

Imagination  grave  and  Fancy  light. 

As  man  and  woman,  by  Dame  Nature  bent. 

Their  duties  separate  do  now  appear : 

One  by  his  plastic  art  plans  structures  real. 

The  other,  phantom  castles  in  the  air ; 

One  seeks  his  marble  in  the  quarry  hard, 

The  other  finds  her  "marble"  in  the  clouds ; 

One  labors  to  find  out  the  Great  Unknown, 

Who  is  in  Nature  and  by  Reason  seen  ; 

The  other  in  her  airy  dreams  conceives 

That  she  has  found  the  Great-First-Cause  and  End ; 

One's  of  a  turn  that's  serious  and  deep  ; 

The  other  playful,  versatile  and  bright. 

And  by  her  combinations  light  and  gay. 

To  life  presents  peculiar  joy  and  zest, 

A  beauty,  grace  and  rich  embellishment. 

Through  nature  these  creative  faculties. 

One  reason  led.  unreasoning  the  other. 

Complete  the  dual-sweet  conceptions  of  the  soul. 


28 


THE     GARDEN      OF     THE      S  O  T  E 

The  realm  of  soaring  Fancy's  in  the  air, 
The  clouds  her  chariot,  her  steeds  the  winds ; 
That  of  Imagination  is  the  earth. 
Firm  rock  his  throne,  broad  nature  his  delight ; 
Reason  his  power ;   revealing  truth  his  aim. 

Habitant — Hope 

X. 

Man's  bright  star,  hope,  is  ever  veiled  in  clouds ; 

Its  full  effulgence  is  unseen,  vouchsafed 

Not  unto  him  because  of  fear,  effect  of  sin, 

Or  Superstition's  senseless  reasonings. 

But  hope,  such  glimpses  as  he  has,  is  man's 

Sustaining  power ;  his  inspiration  sweet ; 

The  dear  expectancy ;   the  living  stream 

That  nourishes  desire.    What  blessings  dwell 

Beyond  that  veil !  the  promises  to  faith 

And  firm  belief.     Shall  man  yet  pierce  the  clouds, 

To  make  his  hope  a  certainty?  a  joy? 

Not  while  his  conscience  guilty  of  offence 

Attends !    But  doubts  and  fears  by  \^irtue's  strength 

Are  overcome,  and  by  it  hope  is  realized  ; 

And  thus  may  fear  be  banished,  while  fond  hope. 

So  useless  then,  takes  on  reality ! 

29 


THE     GARDEN     OF     THE     SOUL 

Of  this  most  quiet,  blissful  change  think  not 
As  near,  though  it  is  free  for  all  to  have. 
Uncertain,  doubting,  fearing,  buoyant  Hope 
Has  many  eons  yet,  in  clouds  to  dwell. 
Sin-burdened  man  to  cheer,  ere  sin  and  fear 
Are  banished,  and  hope's  clouded  rays  dissolve 
In  brighter,  clearer  light.     Without  some  fear 
Would  hope  be  certainty.    Without  some  hope 
Would  fear,  disconsolate,  take  on  despair  ! 

Habitant — Joy. 

XI. 

The  soul's  refreshment — joy;   sweet  sparkling  drops 

From  Virtue's  cup  divine ;  essence  of  happiness ; 

Serenity  in  hope ;  delight  in  love ; 

The  pleasure  in  success  ;  the  pride  in  gain  ; 

The  state  of  mind  that  has  no  doubt,  no  fear ; 

The  property  of  self  approving  minds  ; 

The  genial  sunshine  of  a  soul  at  peace. 

Joy's  heaven  serene ;  the  soul  is  its  abode ; 

Its  voice — the  tuneful  choir  harmonious 

Of  heart  and  soul  in  songs  of  gratitude. 

30 


LOVE 

I. 

Reverence — Love  of  God. 

Restraining,  guiding  power,  Reverence ! 
Of  Fear  born,  yet  partaking  more  of  Love ; 
The  child  of  Love  and  Fear,  deep  Filial  Fear, 
Not  Base— (that  brat  of  Sin  and  Coward  mean ;) 
But  Fear  allied  to  Love  of  God ;  a  deep 
Respect  for  excellence  and  rightful  power ; 
A  truth  and  justice  loving  son.    Without 
This  loving  reverential  fear  The  Good 
Were  dead  ;  the  passions  to  extremes  would  run, 
Destruction  bringing  great  and  imminent ; 
Desire  to  greed  would  unrestrained  lead. 
And  jealousy  most  deeply  dyed  to  crime; 
Hope  by  despair  would  be  engulfed  quite. 
And  grief  by  moping  melancholy  sad ; 
Would  joy  to  sorrow  turn,  and  direful  hate 
To  riot  speed.     O  Reverence !  blest  be 
Thy  power— the  product  of  ten  thousand  years 
Of  poor  Humanity's  most  strong  desires 
For  justice,  truth  and  righteousness. 

31 


1 

LOVE  I 


Gratitude — Lore  of  Earth. 

II. 

Contentment  dwells  on  Earth  in  grateful  hearts. 

Not  elsewhere  look  for  this  felicity 

Should  you  not  find  it  there.     The  evidence 

Of  gratitude  is  health  and  happiness ; 

Who  these  possess  have  shown  the  most  of  grace. 

This  virtue  rare  could  make  of  Earth  a  heaven, 

Were  there  the  efl:'ort,  thought  and  prayer  to  make 

It  blest,  as  go  to  its  disparagement. 

Oh,  think  of  this !  vain,  thankless  man  whose  eyes 

Are  on  the  future  bent,  ungratefully. 

What  ground  for  hope  have  they  wdio  scorning  this, 

Expect  a  better,  happier  world  beyond, 

Save  through  the  pity  of  the  Infinite? 

Are  they  not  right  who  rightly  live?     Alay  not 

All  grateful  denizens  of  Earth  partake 

Of  what  the  future  has  for  Hope,  for  Faith? 

May  not  all  grateful  souls  enjoy  what  God 

Doth  in  His  wisdom  give;   find  Heaven  in  Earth 

And  Earth  in  Heaven,  and  act  their  thankful  ])art 

In  life's  great  tragedy,  with  problem  deep — 

The  soul's  futurity? 

32 


LOVE 


Sympathy— Love  of  Man. 
III. 

True  Sympathy  ;   responsive  chord  harmonious  ! 

That  joins  all  souls  and  hearts  reciprocal 

In  fellowship  and  in  communion  sweet, 

True  link  of  friendship  ;  messenger  of  love  ; 

Relation  kind  that  makes  our  burdens  light. 

Our  hopes,  our  joys,  our  loves,  our  faith  more  strong; 

That  soothes  the  wounded  heart,  the  troubled  mind ; 

The  common  ground  that  all  do  stand  upon. 

Who  have  a  hope  of  heaven,  or  fear  of  death. 

Where'er  misfortune  falls,  or  Sorrow  dwells; 

Where  Fortune  smiles,  or  joys  possess  the  soul. 

This  truest,  kindest,  tenderest  attribute 

Reveals  always  the  brotherhood  of  man. 

Pity— God's  Love  Compassionate. 

IV. 

Is  there  a  tongue  that  can  acceptably 
Commiserate  with  objects  pitiable? 
With  those  unfortunate?    With  those  debased? 
For  pity,  most  unwelcomed  dew  of  man's 
Humanities,  can  find  no  willing  ear ; 

33 


LOVE 

Xo  look  expressing  gratitude,  except 
The  humble  (  ?)  thrifty  beggar's  mean  and  low. 
His  stock  in  trade  well  worn  by  daily  use ; 
Or  in  the  wretch,  who,  trembling,  fearing,  pleads 
For  mercy  kind ;   by  such  'tis  truly  prized 
When  pity  tempers  justice.     Nature  all 
Doth  yearn  for  sympathy  ;    for  pity  none. 
How  unacceptable  is  kindliness, 
Or  charities,  or  tender  hearts,  or  good 
Intent,  with  pity,  not  unmixed  with  scorn ! 
But  to  the  giver  kind  is  pity  sweet ! 
Its  measure  is  a  pittance  or  a  sigh. 
This  bitter-sweet,  to  fortune  only  sweet. 
This  passion  unrepaid,  rejected,  scorned, 
Is  but  a  wasted  product  mostly,  forged 
From  tender,  kindly,  sympathetic  hearts ; 
A  toiler  profitless,  that  cultivates 
The  ragweed  and  the  thistle,  just  outside 
The  fertile  fields  of  sympathy  and  love ; 
That  takes  from  Industry  and  gives  to  Sloth  ; 
Encourages  both  beggary  and  vice. 
But  pity  scorned  and  unrecjuited  lives ! 
Lives  in  the  heart  and  there  finds  its  reward. 
And  though  none  may  be  grateful,  yet  the  heart 
Is  blest  in  rendering.    And  rich  the  world 
For  pity  is,  'twere  hard  indeed  with  none ! 

34 


LOVE 


Objects  of  pity  pity  not  their  like; 
Between  them  is  a  wretched  sympathy. 
That  which  appeals  to  pity  is  beyond 
Humanity  to  aid.    An  attribute 
Of  God  is  pity.     Can  a  being  less, 
Acceptably  bestow  this  kind  regard, 
This  love  compassionate? 


35 


LIFE 

O,  Mother  Earth,  unvalued  home  of  man  ! 
Designed  for  his  enjoyment  full,  for  his 
Delight.     Unnumbered  millions  thankless  live 
And  cheaply  hold  their  heritage  and  die ; 
Many  because  of  vice  no  joy  can  find. 
For  vice  turns  sweetness  into  bitterness ; 
And  some  because  of  hopes  of  better  state 
Beyond,  ignore  the  present,  that  for  this 
Their  future  may  be  blest.    Ascetics  take 
No  sweets,  which  is  as  great  ingratitude. 
As  to  partake  of  them  too  much.     These  two 
Extremes  of  sin  bereave  their  lives  of  joy: 
But  yet  are  some  who  stand  on  middle  ground. 
The  temperate,  who  now  receive  and  share 
The  bounteous  gifts  inherited,  and  leave 
Posterity  their  legacy  of  love. 
This  world  is  not  for  Man's  delusion  given ; 
A  joyous  gift  is  it  to  grateful  souls; 
For  life  is  sweet  to  those  who  use  it  well. 
'Tis  sweet  in  youth,  when  innocent  of  cares. 
In  sports  and  books  the  days  glide  swiftly  by ; 
'Tis  sweet  in  manhood's  years,  through  industry, 

36 


LIFE 

To  make  the  clinched  hand  of  Fortune  yield 

A  competence  of  honor  and  of  wealth ; 

'Tis  sweet  in  reason  to  enjoy;  'tis  sweet 

With  sympathy  to  linger  at  Love's  shrine, 

And  sweet  in  friendship's  interchange ;  'tis  sweet 

In  riper  years  to  retrospect  upon 

A  fair  and  just  career  ;  'tis  sweet  at  last ! 

When  man  must  yield  to  Time  the  zest  of  life. 

To  take  the  rest  that  Nature  has  designed. 

That  kindly  Nature  pityingly  provides. 


37 


GOOD  AND  EVIL 

The  Good. 

In  man's  nature  is  a  spirit 
Which  is  striving  for  perfection ; 
For  his  soul  is  ever  restless 
To  attain  the  highest  knowledge ; 
Knocking  at  God's  own  dominion — 
At  the  sealed  book  of  Dame  Nature ; 
And  his  heart  is  ever  yearning 
For  the  milk  of  human  kindness ; 
For  fair  dealing,  simple  justice, 
For  the  love  that  proves  unselfish. 
Strange  it  is  not  that  he  honors 
With  a  love  approaching  worship 
Those  who  live  for  truth  and  justice, 
Who  have  made  the  way  less  clouded 
'Twixt  himself  and  his  Creator. 

The  Evil. 

Deep  within  that  nature  also 

Is  the  brutal  instinct  vicious. 

Selfish,  cruel,  base,  malignant. 

O  ingratitude  abhorrent ! 

Oh  !  the  grief !  the  tears  !  the  sorrow  !— 

Man's  inheritance  of  Evil. 

38 


A  MINIATURE  UNIVERSE 

Each  man's  a  universe  within  himself ; 

His  body  is  the  Earth  ;  his  will  the  power 

Supreme  that  moves  it ;   reason  is  his  sun  ; 

Intelligence  his  day  ;   and  ignorance  his  night ; 

His  many  hopes  his  constellation  high ; 

His  infancy  the  misty  nebula  ; 

Old  age  the  silvery  moon;   his  span  of  life 

The  measure  of  his  day;    his  joy  is  heaven; 

Remorse  his  hell ;    Nature's  his  inspiration ; 

And  his  creative  soul  supplies  his  world. 

His  mind  embraces  all  realities. 

And  Heaven  or  Hell  within  its  precincts  dwells. 


39 


SHORTEST  CATECHISM 


What  is  wrong  to  do  ? 

Answer : — 

Anything  that  harms  one's  self  or  neighbor. 

What  is  right  to  do  ? 

Answer : — 
All  else. 

What  is  wrong  not  to  do  ? 

Answer : — 

Anything  within  your  power  to  help  your  neighbor. 


40 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
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